Astronomers have discovered a mysterious object hurtling toward the inner solar system from outside our star system. The rare occurrence marks only the third confirmed interstellar object to enter our solar system, with all previous visitors detected since 2017. Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb has proposed that one of these objects, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, could be an alien probe sent by an intelligent civilization.
Loeb suggests using NASA’s Juno spacecraft to intercept the object’s path in March 2026. To make this possible, Juno would need to apply a thrust of 1.66 miles per second on September 14, 2025. Although it’s technically not a rendezvous, Juno could still use its scientific instruments to study the object from close distance.
The proposal has sparked debate among scientists, with some questioning whether Juno has enough fuel for such a maneuver. However, Loeb argues that it could “rejuvenate Juno’s mission and extend its scientific lifespan.” The object in question is roughly seven miles wide, making it the largest interstellar visitor ever spotted. Scientists believe it may be a comet, but its origin remains a mystery.
Researchers are still racing to understand more about 3I/ATLAS. While Loeb’s suggestion is unlikely to gain traction with NASA, it presents an extremely rare opportunity to study an interstellar object up close. The scientific community should at least verify the math behind the proposal to determine its feasibility.
Source: https://futurism.com/existing-nasa-spacecraft-intercept-interstellar-object